For three years, António Guterres has been asking member states to think about a better future, despite increasing wars, poverty and global warming. And this morning, before starting the traditional “high-level week”, they are expected to make commitments by signing the “Compact for the Future”. The UN chief sees it as a historic event.
2 min
With our correspondent in New York, Carrie Nooten
In New York, the traditional “high-level week” of the‘UNwhich will bring together more than 140 heads of state and government, officially begins on Tuesday, September 24. But this year, it is preceded by the “Summit of the Future”, called for by the Secretary-General António Guterres. And from this Sunday, September 22, everyone should sign the “Pact for the Future.” The head of the UN wanted to make it his legacy. For him, this pact is a unique opportunity to ” change the course of humanity “.
A weakened text
But, by dint of negotiating to obtain a consensus, the 193 countries, whose visions are quite polarized, have weakened the content of the text. There are indeed more extensive commitments in favor of the reform of the Security Council, or that of the global financial institutions – two strong demands of the countries of the so-called “global south”. But ultimately, few concrete advances have been integrated in the fight against climate change, the protection of civilians in war zones or nuclear disarmament for example.
Also readUN: Security Council debates pager traps banned under international law
No revolution in multilateralism, then, but diplomats say they are relieved to see that despite the current mood, member countries have reached a consensus. And even if this Pact is not “ binding “, that nothing obliges them to follow it, all agree to say that it implies a ” moral commitment ” from the States. A little suspense remains all the same this Sunday: Moscow is still unhappy with the text, and would like to see “ the principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs ” registered. Thus, Russia could block the adoption of the Pact… even if it is unlikely that it wants to start this “high-level week” with 190 countries against it.
Also readUS supports idea of two permanent seats for Africa on UN Security Council